Indexing and finding means for sound recording and reproducing machines



Feb. 27, 1940. w. 1.. WOOLF INDEXING AND FINDING MEANS FOR SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING MACHINES Filed June 7, 1937 4Sheets-Sheet 1 .lll1|IlllllllIllllllllllllllllllllllll INVENTOR I A ATTORNEY.-

Feb. 27, W. L. WOOLF INDEXING AND FINDING MEANS FOR SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING MACHINES Filed June '7, 1937 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 l O 900 l O 6 mo 60 Fecpeanvs /540. 20 I 30 El U El E1 E1 [:1 c1 c1 v I! I INVENTOR rig- 4 BY MTI MM,

ATTO R N EY- F eb; 27, 1940.

w. L. WOOLF 2,191,691

- INDEXING AND FINDING MEANS FOR SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING MACHINES 11mm 4 I 7 I 68 Filed June 7, 1937 4 Sheefs-Sheet 3 INVENTOR L. WTFMM ATTORNEY.

Feb. 27, 1940. w, L, W LF 2,191,691

INDEXING AND FINDING MEANS FOR SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING MACHINES Filed June 7, 1937 v 4 She etsSheet 4 INVENTOAR ML. 11m 77PM,

ATTORNEY,

Patented F eb. 27, 1940 UNITED STATES INDEXING AND FINDING MEANS FOR SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUOING MACHINES William L. Woolf, Bayslde, N. Y., assignor,

mesne assignments, to Itecordgraph Corporation, were New York, N. Y.,' a corporation oi Dela- Application June 7,1937, SerialNo. 146,968

Claims.

This invention relates to devices for recording and reproducing sound in connection with a record medium and more particularly to the recording and reproducingof sound in connection with a record medium having a plurality of sound records thereon in transverse relation.

Specifically, it relates to devices used in connection with a record made on a film of any desired length and one which permits a great 1128!!! sound records to be-placed parallel to each 0 her.

In the copending application of Von Madaler and Woolf, Serial No. 130,400, filed March 11, 1937, a film having a number of sound records I in parallel relationship is disclosed and since such a film may be of great length, sound may be continuously produced thereon or reproduced therefrom for a very great length of time. In some cases, for instance, a single film may be 30 used for as long as twenty-four hours.

Therei'ore, since a single film may contain a great many independent recordations, such as individual compositions, musical numbers or speeches, the problem of properly locating the reproducing means at the proper position both longitudinally and transversely of such a film becomes of great importance;

An object of the present invention, therefore, is

the production of a device both for recording and reproducing in which the position of the recording and reproducing means may be accurately and conveniently located.

Sincein order properly to locate the reproducing means, at any one of a number of sound record tracks and also to locate the same at the precise longitudinal position on the particular sound tract where a desired recordation is to begin, it is necessary first to note and indicate the position of the recording means relative to the recording medium during recording operatlons.

An important feature of the invention, therefore, relates to means for indicating both the transverse and longitudinal positions of the recording means relatively to the recording medium whether the recording medium be a stylus or some other means suitable for the purpose.

A further and equally important feature of the invention relates to the provision of means for accurately locating the reproducing means both longitudinally and transversely of the record medium for the purpose of reproducing any desired portion of the record.

Further features contributing to a desirable 5 form of device for successful commercial recording and reproducing will be apparent from the following description and claims when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of the machine, partly broken away;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the machine, partly broken away;

Fig. 3 is an end elevation, partly in section, taken on the line 3-4 of. Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a side elevation of a section of the machine, showing the sound recording mechanism in operative position;

Fig. 5 is an end elevation of a portion of the machine, showing the sound recording head on line 55 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a sectional view of the footage indicator, taken on line 6-6 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 7 is a sectional view on the-line 'l-I of Fig. 6:

Fig. 8 is a plan view, partly in section, taken on the line 8-8 of Fig. '7;

Fig. 9 is a sectional elevation, taken on the line 99 of Fig. "I;

Fig. 10 is a side elevation similar to Fig. 2, showing a modification of. the machinej Fig. 11 is a plan view of said modification, partly broken away;

Fig. 12 is an end view in section on the line 12-42 of Fig. 10; and

Fig. 13 is a section taken on the line Iii-l3 of- Fig. 11.

Figure 14 is a plan view showing the beginning of a sound track on the film.

A suitable basic structure with which the present invention may be embodied is disclosed in said application Serial No. 130,400 and in order that the cooperation of the devices for carrying out the present invention with the mechanism disclosed in said application may readily be understood, the present invention will be described in connection with so much of the mechanism of said application as may seem desirable to show the practical utility of the improvements. v

Referring. to the drawings, the present device consists essentially of a casing on the upper part 01. which is mounted a base member I supporting standards 2 and passing through said standards are conical bearings 3, at least one of which is adjustable longitudinally in its standard. As in the previously referred to application, the conical bearings support a main shaft 4 carrying a flywheel 5 and a film driving sprocket 6. Vertically arranged on said base member is an upright plate or rib l. Pivotally mounted at 8 on Application Serial No. 130,400, referred to in the foregoing, has now matured to Patent No. 2,173,048, dated September 12, 1939. In this patent mechanism is shown in detail for mounting and driving suitable reels from which the film is fed and onto which it is wound after passing beneath the stylus. This is shown especially in Figure 1 of. said patent. A showing of, the reels is believed unnecessary for the purposes of the disclosure of the present application, except insofar as shown in Figures 1 and 2. In these figures,

fragmentary portions of reel supporting arms Ma and lid are shown. A pulley He is mounted adjacent the fly wheel 5, said pulley driving a suitable elastic belt l3a which, in turn, revolves the receiving reel for the film. When it is desired to rewind the film on the supply reel, a driving wheel Ila is thrown into engagement by means of operating lever |8a with the fly wheel 5, the driving wheel in turn operating a belt |6a which revolves the supply reel. With this mechanism it will be readily seen that the film may be driven in either direction in an efiicient manner.

Mechanism is also provided consisting of a pivoted cam or eccentric l4 mounted on the plate I to operate against the free end of the arm 9, to elevate the rollers l0 away from the sprocket by means of the handle l5. Spring means l6 are provided to maintain the free end of arm 9 against the end of the cam M at all times. Stop member I! limits the lowering movement of the arm 9.

Arranged transversely of the rib or plate I is a guideway l3 having a dovetail groove therein for supporting the base IQ of a carriage the base l9 being in the form of a truncated prism fitting into the dovetail groove in the guideway l8 lldiounted on the slide 20 are upright standards 2|, which carry conically pointed spindles 22, at least one of which is adjustably mounted in its standard, and pivotally supporting therebetween either the sound producing or sound recording head. As shown in Fig. 3, proper adjustment of. the spindles is maintained by a suitable thumb screw 22b, clearly shown.

The recording head 25 is thus mounted against any horizontal motion since in recording, the stylus only is vibrated relatively to the recording head.

In the case of the pick-up head 23, however, a transverse baf 24, Figure 3, is pivoted between the spindles 22, which bar 24 carries a swivel 24a,

upon which the pick-up head is mounted, thereby permitting slight horizontal oscillation of the pick-up head.

Extending upwardly and horizontally from the innermost standard 2| is. an arm 21, Figures 1 and 3. The upper end of said arm as shown in Figure 3, carries a shaft 29 having at one end thereof an eccentric 29, the latter being provided with a V-shaped groove about the circumference thereof. Rotation of the shaft 28 by means of the handle 30 will cause the eccentric 29 to lower or elevate the pick-up head through means of an arm or pin 3| extending centrally therefrom and engaging in the groove in the cocentric 29. Thus the stylus of the pick-up head is caused to engage or disengage the. film II' at a point substantially directly over the; axis of the sprocket 6.

The mechanism so far described is all disclosed in said application Serial No. 130,400.

Another means of facilitating the engagement of the reproducing point in the proper groove is to make the beginning of the groove abnormally wide as shown in Figure 14. The sprocket which propels the film does not start at full speed and recording should be delayed until a full and steady speed state has been reached. During the interim between starting and the acquisition of full speed, while no recording is being-done, it has been found advantageous to put abnormal pressure on the record needle point, forcing it further into the material and making the groove wider, and thus making it much easier to select the groove Ila desired when reproducing from the film. The additional pressure for widening the groove may be applied manually, or by any suitable mechanical means.

The dimensions of the groove in the eccentric 29 are such that when the same is in the position where the arm 3| will be lowered the greatest extent, the stylus 32 is so arranged with respect to the pickup head that the outer end thereof will engage the film before the arm 3| would reach its lowermost position as ordinarily controlled by the eccentric 29. Thus, when the eccentric is in its lowermost position, the arm 3| will be spaced somewhat from the base of the groove, whereby there will then be no contact or connection between the arm 3| and the eccentric 29.

First modification of sound track indicator and shifter The structure of the first modification for locating and shifting the slide 20 carrying either the recording or pickup head transversely with respect to the film, consists of a lever 33 attached to one end of a pivoted shaft 34 vertically disposed in a bearing block 35 mounted on the base member Lever 33 is disposed below the base plate I, as clearly shown in Fig. 2. To the upper end of the shaft 34 is secured a short lever 36 having secured to one side thereof a leaf spring member 31; In effect, the lever 33, shaft 34 and short lever 36 constitute a single lever pivoted between its ends and having a long and short portion disposed on opposite sides of the pivoted shaft 34. A space is provided between the lever 36 and spring 31, whereby this construction resembles a fork. Engaged between the outer ends of the lever 36 and'the spring 31 is a downwardly disposed pin 38 depending from the underside of the slide 20. I

The shaft 34 is shown as being slightly tapered downwardly and the bearing receiving this shaft is similarly tapered, whereby as wear occurs between the moving parts. the same is automatically taken up by the shaft reseating itself further into said bearing, thus allowing no lost motion between the parts. Sufiicient clearance is provided between the underside of lever 36 and the upper surface of the bearing block 35 to permit the shaft to properly seat itself in taking up such wear.

On the opposite end of lever 33 from the pivot is an upstanding member 39 having mounted.

' "i5 shaft "when the normally spring-pressed downplate is an arcuate along one side of this slot is a series of 5 .evenly spaced apertures l3 adap to. receive the lower end of the pin 7 Suitable indicia are disposed opposite each aperture, the same corresponding to the number of the groove or sound track being produced or reproduced in the film. Thus, any movement of the member 39 will transmit the motion correspondingly to the pin 38 and thereby move the slide transversely with-respect to the film.

If it is desired to reproduce sound from a film, ll is set in the desired aperture 43, the is centered in the groove of the pulley 29. and handle is manipulated to lower the arm and simultaneously, the stylus 32 is located in the desired film track.

Second modification of sound track indicator and shifter manipulating the above described slide and carriage mechanism for the recording and pickup heads transversely of the film consist ll adiustably m standing post Ia.

sleeve is a shaft having a set of threads thereon of a rather steep pitch. This shaft is held within the bore ofthe sleeve ll by a fiat disc-like the sleeve springst said disc by a spring 1, thus any chatter or lost motion on' the The shaft is manipulated by eliminating part of the shaft; a handle 8.

Surrounding the outer surface of the sleeve H and adapted to longitudinally slide thereon, is a tubular member 49 corresponding to the slide in the first modification and carrying suitable supports for the recording or pickup head. Such supporting mechanism comprises suitable arms 21a to support spindles 22a which cooperate with the bearings provided in A horizontally 21a, rotatably supporting shaft sleeve ll. An eccentrically 30a are attached 50 correspond to M of the pickup head 2 from' the ate with arm Horizontally extending post 1a is a shaft side of the tubular member H is an and a spring member disposed'one on' each side of the by such construction prevent bar 9 from rotating with" respectto the sleeve N. Eiemen 5|, while shown of rig may be a leaf spring if desired. The spring member 52' also prevents-any chatter or lost motion on the part of I tubular member. Though not the present drawings, suitable support ay be provided for the external'ends of sleeve 5,if desired. Mounted between the element 5! and the spring member 52 is a block having cogs orteeth disposed along the llpp redge thereof. 53 is secured by means of suitable 55, whereby the block moves as an with the tubular member in the lower '0 which bear ag ainst and slide with respect to base the member 8! projects.

' on the shaft l, a suitable opening being The block l9. Slots are providedsideof said block containing springs tubular member 48 is moved.

These spring in constantly pressing the block 58 into engagement with screw threads I prevent any lost motion or chattering between the threads 55, correspo film. Suitable indicia are al said apertures. The outer end or the carries a spring-pressed pin and handle element 56 adapted to be inserted in any desired aperture 58 corresponding to the film track desired. an alternative structure, the handle 48 may be in the nature of a leaf spring, event the handle and pin 56 could be rigidly mounted in the end thereof, the handle 48 being adapted to be flexed to effect removal of the pin from th tures. By either construction, when is rotated by the handle 48, it will be seen the tubular member 48 carrying the sound pickup and reproducing head may be accurately and eflflflcielntly moved transversely with respect to the Footage or Linear Dimension Indicator Structure Mechanism is also provided for indicating the number of passed from a given point 'on the film, whereby at any instant during the operation of the machine the exact linear location of the stylus will be known with respect to a known point on the film. This knowledge is necessary in order to determine one dimension of the position on the film of any given point such as the place of a selection which st of music, a speech, or other sounds. wing the linear position of such a point is necessary in addition to knowing the film track number which can be located by the two modifications of mechanism described above.

The mechanism the film consists of on the main shaft. I between the fly wheel 5 and the sprocket 6 clearly shown in Fig. 3. Disposed about this portion of the main shaft 4 is a housing 58, which, as may be clearly determined from Fig. 6, is adjustably secured to the base member I, by means of a bolt passing through a suitable in the lower part of said housing, the diameter than the shank of the bolt, whereby small lateral motion of the adjustment. This bolt also serves as a quick means of detaching or attaching the footage indicator mechanism to the machine. It will be seen that such attachment or detachment is readily accomplished by merely fitting the housing around the worm 51 provided in one side of the housing to receive such shaft and worm, as is clearly seen in Fig. 6. I

Upwardly extending from said housing is a standard 59 containing a bore 60 to receive a vertically disposed rotatable shaft 61'. The standard 53 is adjustably mounted in the upper part of the housing 58, by

lower end of the standard 59 which the upper part of the housing. The center of the reduced portion the shaft ii is a worm gear 65 held thereto by a quired 200 feet of film and the second recordatherewith, means for indicating at any instant 70 4 2,101,091 suitable set screw, said worm gea cooperating Similarly succeeding Lrecordations will with the worm 51 on main shaft I. noted and when it is desired to reproduce a par- In order that the threads of the worm and ticular composition, or to position the recording worm gear 51 and 65 may be properly spaced means for further recording, the transverse and with respect to each other, the standard 59 may longitudinal indicators enable the stylus and film 5 be rotated in such a manner that the eccentrically to be relatively positioned or located at the exact disposed, reduced portion 62 may be so positioned point desired. in the aperture 63 as to bring the worm and worm Summary gear in proper relationship. Wear between the worm and gear may also be compensated for by gg m be seen that applicant has ent.

has been previously set forth, where a great nt sound tracks arranged in parallel fashion on the film are situated on a single film,

is necessary that some means of accounting a for and also locating various points in the vari ous sound tracks as well as the sound tracks provided. It has been the ary purpose of this invention to provide such able indicia mdlcate the amotmt of mm a means which has been fully described in detail that has Passed between a certain therem above. It is to be understood that various changes and the position on the film where the stylus and modifications may be made in-the structure g g??? to be at any instant at which a reading illustrated and described, without departing from The plate or dial 15 is graduated to read in any in sprocket 6 for each revolution of the pointer 80 will be BCD, while the number of feet passing will end said co be on of the cm ca ses motion of said mech BOD anism transversely to said s unci track and A means a 0 carried by sa1d slide ada d to fura split sleeve 18 having aifixed to the outer end on adapted to cooperate with said arm to raise thereof a knurled knob 19. Secured to the knob and lower the adjacent end of said mechanism.

isan indicator pointer 80. V e split sleeve In a sound translating machine using a 50 construction permits the rotation of the pointer record medium having a sound track associated with respect to the axle 1| by means of the therewith and a rotatable means to drive said knurled knob 19, so that in the case, for instance, record medium, means for indicating at any inwhere it is desired to start a certain selection to stant during the process of translating the length be recorded on the film, the poiiiter may be roof sound track having passed the translating tated to zero on the dial without running the mechanism, said means comprising a rotatable 11 using the device, let it e assumed that the worm gear meshing with said worm and an ech D90 33 to record on track i and that the dial '15 has shaft and worm gear, whereby rotation of the the transverse indicator 43 and the longitudinal a suitable dial and indicia to indicate the length s be assumed that the first recordation rerecord medium having a sound track associated tron is to be begun at this point, the note regardduring the process of translating, the length of ing the second recordation would read trans sound track having passed the translating mechverse position 1, longitudinal position 200", or it anism, said means comprising a rotatable worm might read track 1, footage 200", or any other mounted on a spindle, each turn of which corresuitable designation may be employed. sponds to a predetermined length of sound track, 75

a second spindle carrying a. worm and worm gear,

said worm gear being in mesh with said first worm and supported on a shaft mounted in an eccentrically. mounted bearing, whereby rotation of said bearing will adjustably position said worm gear and worm with respect to each other, a third spindle carrying a worm gear, in mesh with the worm of said second spindle, and also bearing a pointer adapted to rotate at the same rate as said third spindle, and indicating the length of sound track from a given point.

4. In a sound translating machine, means for indicating at any instant during the process of translating the length of sound track having passed the translating mechanism, said means comprising a rotatable worm, a series of reducing gears operated thereby, a supporting shaft, a

pointer carried by said shaft and actuated by said reducing gears cooperating with a suitable dial and indicia to indicate the length of sound track from any given starting point, said pointer being yleldably and frictionally supported on said shaft whereby it may be manually moved with respect to said shaft when desired for resetting.

5. In a sound recording and reproducing machine, suitable for use with a strip of film pro-' vided with a plurality of substantially parallel, longitudinally extending sound grooves, a stylus, means for positioning the stylus transversely with respect to the film, an indicator cooperat-. ing with and movable with the said stylus positioning means for indicating such transverse position of the stylus, means for moving the film longitudinally with respect to the stylus, a second indicator movable in a fixed relationship with longitudinal movement of the film for indicating the exact lonigtudinal position of the film with respect to the stylus whereby the location of the stylus with respect to a particular point in a particular sound groove is indicated.

WILLIAM L. WOOLF. 

